Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit against the owner of a southern Illinois coal mine.
The suit alleges Williamson Energy has violated permit limits dozens of times, failed to report bypasses, caused numerous violations of water quality standards, and failed to comply with good mining practices at the Pond Creek Mine near Johnston City.
In April 2022, Pond Creek received approval from the Illinois EPA for an updated permit that allows the mine to discharge water with high amounts of chloride through a pipeline to the Big Muddy River. But, the permit requires the mine to develop and seek Illinois EPA approval for a chloride measurement plan before discharge through that pipeline can begin.
FOIA's indicate the mine has not submitted the required documents to allow them to use the pipeline. The Attorney General alleges the mine is in violation of both its former 2013 permit and its new 2022 permit.
Williamson Energy faces civil penalties of $50,000 for each violation.
